"Chrism" is the name of an oil used sacramentally, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. The Scriptures and tradition are full of references to oil, to its uses in cleansing, healing, and anointing.

At the annual Chrism Mass, the archbishop gathers with the priests of the archdiocese and celebrates Mass, manifesting the unity of the priests with their archbishop. And the archbishop blesses three oils — the oil of catechumens (
oleum catechumenorum or
oleum sanctorum), the oil of the infirm (
oleum infirmorum), and holy chrism (
sacrum chrisma) — which will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the archdiocese for the year.